1 | Page RE-ENTRY INFORMATION August 21, 2020 Welcome to École St. Cecilia School WELCOME Welcome to the École St. Cecilia School community! We hope that the information in this handbook will help to familiarize you with our school. The 2020-2021 school year will look somewhat different than usual thanks to the implementation of COVID 19 safety protocols in our school. Be that as it may, it is our goal to continue to provide students with an innovative and vibrant learning environment in grade seven through nine and to foster a sense of community and connectedness with our students. At École St. Cecilia School, we are very proud to share a common philosophy of excellence in catholic education - a commitment to high-quality, challenging, intentional education- that we believe is important for our students. Our staff members were and are carefully chosen for their excellence in teaching, their commitment to Catholic education, their energy, their enthusiasm and their ability to work in an inquiry-based educational program. We are extremely excited about the great things that are happening in our school and we hope you will be too! At École St. Cecilia School, we strive to maintain close communication with our families in order to serve the needs of our students. We look forward to your presence and contributions in making your child’s educational experience at École St. Cecilia School productive, rewarding, and memorable. ECSD MISSION The mission of Edmonton Catholic Schools is: To provide a Catholic education that inspires students to learn and that prepares them to live fully and to serve God in one another. SCHOOL MISSION Informed and inspired by our Catholic faith, the mission of École St. Cecilia Catholic Junior High School is to help our students grow as good and faithful persons while fostering their development as confident, reflective and capable learners who think critically and consider both local and global perspectives. SCHOOL VISION École St. Cecilia Catholic Junior High School is a Christ-centered community that invites students to grow together in faith and learning. We celebrate and nurture the gifts and uniqueness of each child in an environment where students develop as thoughtful and independent learners who are well-equipped to deal with the opportunities and challenges that life brings. The Vision of École St. Cecilia will honour the mandate to
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RE-ENTRY INFORMATION
August 21, 2020
Welcome to École St. Cecilia School WELCOME
Welcome to the École St. Cecilia School community! We hope that the information in this handbook will help to familiarize you with our school. The 2020-2021 school year will look somewhat different than usual thanks to the implementation of COVID 19 safety protocols in our school. Be that as it may, it is our goal to continue to provide students with an innovative and vibrant learning environment in grade seven through nine and to foster a sense of community and connectedness with our students.
At École St. Cecilia School, we are very proud to share a common philosophy of
excellence in catholic education - a commitment to high-quality, challenging, intentional
education- that we believe is important for our students. Our staff members were and
are carefully chosen for their excellence in teaching, their commitment to Catholic
education, their energy, their enthusiasm and their ability to work in an inquiry-based
educational program. We are extremely excited about the great things that are
happening in our school and we hope you will be too!
At École St. Cecilia School, we strive to maintain close communication with our families
in order to serve the needs of our students. We look forward to your presence and
contributions in making your child’s educational experience at École St. Cecilia School
productive, rewarding, and memorable.
ECSD MISSION
The mission of Edmonton Catholic Schools is:
To provide a Catholic education that inspires students to learn and that prepares them
to live fully and to serve God in one another.
SCHOOL MISSION
Informed and inspired by our Catholic faith, the mission of École St. Cecilia Catholic
Junior High School is to help our students grow as good and faithful persons while
fostering their development as confident, reflective and capable learners who think
critically and consider both local and global perspectives.
SCHOOL VISION
École St. Cecilia Catholic Junior High School is a Christ-centered community that invites
students to grow together in faith and learning. We celebrate and nurture the gifts and
uniqueness of each child in an environment where students develop as thoughtful and
independent learners who are well-equipped to deal with the opportunities and
challenges that life brings. The Vision of École St. Cecilia will honour the mandate to
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guide and direct our students to strive for excellence in academic and interpersonal
skills through our teaching, personal examples, motivation and insistence. Our policies,
practices and procedures, reflect our goals and objectives, assuring that the respect for
the worth and dignity of the individual be consistently and diligently preserved.
PROGRAM OF STUDIES
Students in Grade 7 through Grade 9 follow the approved Program of Studies outlined
by Alberta Education. In September, parents are invited to attend a Curriculum Night
where each teacher reviews the Program of Studies and goals to be achieved during the
school year. Alberta Education publishes curriculum information for parents that are
ALL STAFF AND STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS
EVERYDAY.
STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO BRING A MASK ON THE FIRST DAY.
STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE 2 MASKS FROM ALBERTA
EDUCATION/ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES ON THE FIRST DAY OF
SCHOOL
Wednesday, September 2 – Grade 7 ORIENTATION DAY (GRADE 7’ S ONLY)
8:00AM – as students enter the building staff will direct them to the appropriate homeroom. Homeroom/Class information will be available on PowerSchool. Class lists will be posted in the hallways Grade 7 Orientation Day will include a series of activities directed by staff. An individually package snack and beverage will be provided in the morning. Students will be responsible for bringing their own lunch. 2:45PM - Dismissal
Thursday, September 3 – Grade 8 and 9 Students only
8:00AM – as students enter the building staff will direct them to the appropriate homeroom. Homeroom/Class information will be available on PowerSchool. Class lists will be posted in the hallways 12:00PM – Dismissal
Friday, September 4 – DISVISION WIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY - STAFF ONLY No classes for students Classes will resume Tuesday, September 8 Tuesday, September 8 Regular programming for all students Grade 7, 8 and 9 Online programming begins for all students Grade 7, 8 and 9
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TRANSPORTATION ETS – Transit services will begin operation on the first day of school – Wednesday, September 2. Please visit the ETS Planner Site for more details. Students using ETS will be required to wear a mask and comply will all other safety protocols put in place by ETS http://etstripplanner.edmonton.ca/SchoolService.aspx
CORE INSTRUCTION
Core instruction includes the following subjects: Religion, Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Physical Education, and Health. At École St. Cecilia School.
We recognize the importance of physical education for student health and well-being. Physical education classes will be offered with the following practices in place:
• Equipment will be cleaned before and after use
• Activities supporting increased physical distancing are encouraged
• Use of shared items or sports equipment is discouraged
• Shared equipment will be cleaned before and after each use; users must perform
hand hygiene before and after each use
• Students are encouraged to come changed for their activities as lockers will not
be accessible
• Outside activities to be encouraged when and where possible
COMPLEMENTARY COURSES
Students in junior high school enjoy having some choice in terms of the complementary
courses they take. Complementary courses offered at École St. Cecilia School include
courses in Fine and Performing arts and Career and Technology Foundations (CTF).
In keeping with the ECSD Re-Entry Plan, complementary course offerings in the online
environment will be adapted, since it is not always possible to offer these courses
effectively in an online environment.
At École St. Cecilia School, we will continue to offer a full complement of complementary
courses, with some modifications due to COVID 19 protocols:
• Art supplies that are used by a number of students, such as paint brushes, will
be thoroughly cleaned after each use. Students may also supply their own art
equipment if they wish. Equipment or supplies that cannot be cleaned between
uses is not to be used.
• In Foods classes, students will have to prepare food items on their own. They
will not work in groups and will not share food items with one another.
• In CTF classes and labs, hand hygiene is required. Shared equipment must be
SAFETY AND WELL-BEING Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
AHS School Guideline recommendations for PPE Within the context of K-12 education, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is primarily focused on nonmedical masks. Practices such a physical distancing, hand washing, staying home when sick, and increased environmental cleaning continue to be priority public health measures. The guidance from the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Minister of Education mandates the use of re-usable face masks for all staff and students, from grades 4-12. Staff will be required to wear additional PPE in certain situations. These will include:
• If a student becomes unwell with symptoms of COVID-19 while at school and needs direct personal care until they can return home.
§A fluid-resistant surgical face mask should be worn by the supervising adult if a distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained.
§ If contact with the child or young person is necessary, then disposable gloves, a disposable apron and a fluid-resistant surgical face mask should be worn by the supervising adult. • Option to wear a face shield if a risk assessment of the situation determines that there is a risk of splashing to the eyes, for example from coughing, spitting, or vomiting, then a face shield should also be worn. MASKS AND FACE SHIELDS - STAFF • As a minimum standard, staff will be provided with cloth re-usable face masks, the usage of which is mandated by the Chief Medical Officer. A protective face shield will also be supplied to all staff. • All staff are expected to wear a mask where physical distancing of 2m is not consistently possible. Exceptions may be considered when working with individuals with a hearing impairment or when working in a context that supports 2m physical distancing or other protective measures are in place. As per Alberta Health Services (AHS) guidelines, a face shield does not replace a face mask, but may be used as an additional measure in conjunction with a face mask. • A mask that is dirty, damaged in any way, has gaps or doesn’t fit well must not be used. • If additional PPE such as gloves, aprons, safety glasses, goggles is required, it will be provided by the Division. STUDENTS • All students will be provided two reusable masks. • All students will be required to wear a face mask while on ETS or yellow bus. • Students will be required to wear masks in all common areas, hallways, and in classroom contexts in which physical distancing cannot be maintained. • It is strongly recommended that students keep their masks on while in classroom setting • Should a student forget their mask, a disposable one will be provided to them.
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• Schools will have masks available for students to use if they become ill during the day and are awaiting pick-up, or on the occasion that they forget or damage theirs.
Cohorts in Junior High
To minimize movement in our junior high, teachers will move from classroom to
classroom. Students in junior high will remain in their homeroom classrooms for most
of the school day, moving only to take part in complementary courses (options) and
physical education. For this reason, in junior high, a grade will be considered a cohort,
and a class will be considered a smaller cohort within the larger one.
Physical Distancing
Physical distancing will be in place to the greatest extent possible. To this end, the
following practices and procedures will be in place:
• In situations where two different cohorts share gym time in the large gym, the
curtain that divides the gym will be in use in order to minimize contact between
cohorts. There will be no shared gym time in the small gym.
• Students at all grade levels will have assigned seats in classrooms.
• Students at all grade levels will eat lunch in their classrooms staying in their
assigned seats (this is especially important since students will not be wearing
masks while eating).
• In order to reduce the number of students in the hallways at any one time, entry
and dismissal times at the beginning and end of the school day and prior to
recess breaks will be staggered in order to reduce the number of students in
hallways at any given time.
• During inclement weather or on extremely cold days, measures will be taken to
allow students to access the building as they arrive. Junior high students already
have this privilege, but this year, they will be asked to enter and go directly to
their homeroom class rather than congregating in common areas.
Due to the physical layout of our school, we will ask students moving north (toward the
back of the school/parking lot) to stay as close to the right hand side of the hallway as
possible, with those moving south (toward the front of the school) staying as far to the
left of the hallway as possible.
Since there may be times when physical distancing in hallways, particularly at entry and
dismissal times is difficult to maintain, it is expected that all students, wear a mask
while in hallways.
Enhanced Cleaning The safety of students and staff is of paramount importance to us. Therefore, we have increased measures regarding cleaning and sanitation at our school. These measures include:
• removing any soft furnishings and area rugs from classrooms and common areas that cannot be cleaned to provincial standards
• frequently cleaning high-touch surfaces such as water fountains or door handles
• more frequent cleaning and disinfecting throughout the school, with specific attention to washrooms, high-traffic areas and classrooms
Our Division is procuring all COVID-19 cleaning and safety items on behalf of all our schools. This will help ensure all schools use products that adhere to health standards and meet requirements to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
ACCESS TO THE BUILDING
School entry doors are open for students at 8:00 AM each day. Students are expected to
enter and exit the building through their designated doors.
Junior high students may enter the school starting at 8:00 AM. Upon entering the
building, junior high students make their way to their homeroom classrooms. In order
to minimize risk during the pandemic, students are not to gather in common areas
before or after school or during breaks in the day.
Grade 7 – West Entrance, Middle of the field
Grade 8 – East Entrance, Near the Gymnasium
Grade 9 – Main Entrance
Homeroom/Class Assignment
7A/RM 100 8A/RM 208 9A/RM 224
7B/RM 102 8B/RM 210 9B/RM 222
7C/ RM 104 8C/TBD 9C/RM 220
7F/ RM 106 8F/RM 212 9F/RM 218
7G/RM 108
In order to maintain the safety of our students, exterior doors are locked during the
school day. Although the front door is not normally a student entrance/exit, students
who are late for school are asked to enter through the front door and stop at the office
to get a late slip. The front entrance of the school is locked at 8:30 AM, so students who
arrive after this time and visitors to the school must ring the bell to gain entrance to the
school.
Parents who pick their children up after school are asked to wait at a pre-arranged
meeting spot. Parents will not be able to enter the building to meet children while
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COVID 19 protocols are in place. Parents are asked to wear a mask and to maintain
physical distance from others when picking up their children.
Children should not be at school before 7:55 AM or after 3:30 PM unless they are
involved in a scheduled and supervised school activity.
On early dismissal days, students are expected to leave the building at the dismissal bell,
since teachers are involved in meetings and professional development activities.
ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES
Alberta Health Services works with schools and community agencies to provide a range
of coordinated health and support services for school aged children and their families.
Our common goal is to build on the health and education potential of students by
providing nursing, rehabilitation, speech and language and dental services in schools. If
you have any concerns about your child’s health, please talk to the Community Health
Services, School Health Team in Northgate Centre at 780-342-2800
APPOINTMENTS
Whenever possible, parents are asked to schedule medical, dental or other
appointments after school or on early dismissal days so that students do not miss
valuable instructional time. Please notify your child’s teacher and the school office, as
soon as possible, if an appointment has been scheduled during school hours.
ATTENDANCE & LATES
Punctuality and regular attendance are essential to success in school and are expected
of all students. In fact, research has shown that students who are chronically absent
(missing two or more days per month), are less likely to develop strong literacy and
numeracy skills. If the pattern continues, students are less likely to graduate from high
school. The same is true for students who miss school for extended periods. Please visit
Attendance Works for more information.
Parents of students who must be absent from school are asked to contact the school
before classes begin. An answering machine is operational for your convenience
between 4:00 PM and 8:00 AM every day. Parents and guardians who do not phone the
school will be contacted at home or at work via our automated phone system.
Students who are late must report to the office and obtain a late slip before entering
class. We require a parent phone call when students must leave the school during the
school day for appointments or other commitments. In addition, students are required
to sign out at the office.
Students who are absent for three or more days may be required to provide
documentation from a medical doctor.
VACATIONS/EXTENDED ABSENCES
21st century classrooms are dynamic learning environments that are fluid and
constantly changing. Work assigned is often project-based and is designed to promote
critical thinking and a deeper level of student engagement. Worksheets and paper
packages of student work are increasingly rare in today’s classrooms, since research
shows that they do little to promote higher level thinking skills or achievement. Because
our learning environments are so dynamic, it can be very difficult for teachers to put
together packages for students who will be away for an extended period of time.
Consequently, we recommend that families avoid booking vacation time during the
school year. Extended absences are detrimental to student achievement and can have a
significant impact on a student’s marks. In the case of a grade nine student, lower
achievement could mean that the student does not get into his or her desired academic
stream in high school. If a student must be away for a truly important events or family
emergency, then parents are asked to contact the teacher to find out what general topics
of study will be examined while the student is away. The student will be expected to
read applicable textbook chapters and monitor work and material being posted to
Google classrooms, with the understanding that the student will likely have work to
make up when he or she returns to school. Google classrooms do not take the place of
the teacher in the classroom environment.
It is the responsibility of the student to see each of his or her teachers to find out what
work was missed during an absence and to complete all missed work, assignments
and/or exams.
Note: Our school social worker will follow up with the families of students who are
habitually late or chronically absent may be reported to the Attendance Board.
EMAIL & SWIFTK12 COMMUNICATION
At École St. Cecilia we make every effort to keep parents informed. Important
information that needs to be sent out immediately is sent to parents via email and/or
telephone calls via our SwiftK12 messaging system. We make every effort to keep email
communication from school administration to a minimum. Teachers often communicate
with parents via email as well. Please help us by ensuring that we have current email
addresses.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities at
École St. Cecilia School. Please watch the newsletter, school planner and notes home for
further details.
FIELD TRIPS
Field trips, tours and excursions are school-planned enrichment activities that
complement the curriculum. Students are expected to participate. Each teacher is
responsible for the organization of the field trips taken by the class. Parents will be
informed in advance of the field trip date, the nature of the trip and costs involved.
Before each field trip, parents will be asked to read and sign a field trip permission form.
For legal reasons, we are unable to accept verbal permission or notes for students to
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attend field trips. Therefore, children who have not returned a signed field trip
permission form to school will not be allowed to participate in the field trip.
Please note – as per ECSD Re-Entry Guidelines, most field trips will be postponed in
order to maintain a safe environment and limit outside contacts.
HOMEWORK
Although homework may be assigned at times, we believe that students also need to
have time for family and activities outside of the school day. Therefore, we strive to
keep homework to a minimum at École St. Cecilia School. The amount of time each
student will spend doing homework may vary according to grade, ability and study
habits. The amount of homework that could be assigned increases as the student
progresses through junior high.
Students are advised to check Google classrooms in the event of an absence.
Some of the purposes of homework are:
• To complete assignments that the child has been unable to finish at school.
• “Catch-up” work may be assigned by the teacher if the child has been absent
from school.
• If a child is experiencing difficulty with certain concepts or skills, the teacher
may assign additional homework towards overcoming these deficiencies.
• A motivated student may wish to pursue further study of a particular subject at
home.
• To assist students in budgeting their time.
• To help students’ self-reliance and good study habits.
• To enable parents to see their child’s progress.
• To develop research strategies/techniques.
• To strengthen the ties between home and school, particularly when parents can
help with assignments in some ways.
•
There are many ways parents can help with homework, including:
• Providing a quiet, regular place of work.
• Helping the student organize his or her time for assignments.
• Being the “audience” for reading practice and spelling or math drills.
The support and interest of parents has a great influence on student attitudes towards
homework. If you have questions about the assignments or the amount of homework
your child is bringing home, please contact the teacher.
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HOT LUNCH PROGRAM/ FOOD DELIVERY
École St. Cecilia offers a hot lunch program for students. Hot lunches are offered on each
day excluding Thursday throughout the school year. Hot lunch is provided through a
variety of local restaurants. Students can purchase lunch on a first come, first serve
basis at our canteen.
In keeping with ECSD Re-Entry Protocols, in order to limit possible exposure from
outside sources, our hot lunch program will be suspended until further notice. Many of
our families drop off lunches from area restaurants or utilize food delivery services to
provide lunches for students. Unfortunately, as stated in the ECSD Re-Entry Plan, this
practice will no longer be allowed, since we must limit possible exposure from outside
sources. As well, in accordance with provincial guidelines regarding shared food during
COVID-19, families will not be able to send treats or food for birthdays or special
occasions until further notice.
LEARNING RESOURCES
École St. Cecilia School has excellent learning and library resources available for student
use. Students at École St. Cecilia may use the resources with the understanding that all
borrowed materials will be returned in a satisfactory condition. It is expected that
students will pay replacement costs for lost or damaged materials.
At this time, students will be required to use hand-sanitizer before entering the
Learning Commons and handling books. Upon their return, books will be quarantined
for 10 days before being put back into circulation.
LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS
A number of religious and other celebrations are held during the year. Unfortunately, at
this time, parents and visitors will not be able to attend our celebrations. This year,
celebrations will be limited to cohort groups with appropriate physical distancing in
place. Most celebrations will take place within classrooms. Please check the monthly
calendar on our website and in the newsletter for dates and times. All students follow a
religion program approved by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.
ILLNESS We have always taken the position that students who are ill should not be at school. We understand that at times, it may have been easier to send a child to school if he or she exhibits mild symptoms rather than arranging for child-care. Unfortunately, in our current climate, this is no longer acceptable. We must do everything we can to make sure that everyone is safe. Parents and caregivers must assess their child daily for symptoms of common cold, influenza, COVID-19, or other infectious respiratory disease before sending them to school. Staff will also assess themselves daily for symptoms of common cold, influenza, or COVID-19 prior to entering the school.
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They should use the health assessment checklist to assess themselves daily prior to entering the school/site. Any person who selects “yes” on any of the screening questions will not be permitted to enter the school, pending further testing for COVID-19. Signs will be posted reminding persons not to enter if they have COVID-19 symptoms, even if symptoms resemble a mild cold. Should a student exhibit signs of illness at school, they will be moved to a designated private area within the school/site. Parent/caregivers will be notified and advised to pick up their child immediately. Please ensure that student emergency contact information is up-to date in the event that parents cannot be reached. Should a student become ill, a parent/caregiver or emergency contact must pick up the student as soon as is practicable.
Staff supervising symptomatic students will:
• Keep all other staff out of the designated quarantine area;
• Provide the student with a face mask, provided that the student can wear it safely;
• Wear recommended PPE
• Use strict hand-washing techniques; and
• Maintain physical distancing.
LOCKERS At this time, in keeping with the ECSD Re-Entry Plan, lockers are not available for student use. This effects students in grades 7-9. Students are asked to:
• Take backpacks and coats with them. These are to be stored on the backs of
chairs.
• Minimize the number of belongings they have at school.
Locker protocols may be revisited as the school year progresses. In the event that
students will be able to access lockers at some point, the following will apply:
Individual hallway lockers are issued to students. Students are responsible for
appropriate care and maintenance of their locker. The cost of locker repairs
necessitated by inappropriate student use will be charged to the student who is
assigned to the locker. The privilege of having a locker may be revoked in the event of
irresponsible behavior. Since lockers are the property of the school, an administrator or
board agent may search them, without notice, at any time. In the event that this
becomes necessary, the student will be notified accordingly.
Combination locks are provided by the school. These locks must remain on student
lockers. Students are advised not to share their locker combinations with anyone.
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Friends change and our secrets travel with them! Should the combination to a student
lock become compromised, students are asked to see the assistant principal for junior
high in order to make arrangements to trade their lock in for a new one.
LOCKER BREAKS
Since students will not have access to lockers at present, they will not have hallway
locker breaks. Instead, they will have a short snack break in their cohort classroom.
Should students regain access to lockers at some point in the school year, the following
will apply:
Students are to be at their lockers only at designated times: first thing in the morning,
mid-morning locker break, during the noon hour and at the end of the school day. At
mid-morning, students proceed to their lockers for a short locker break. At this time,
they may enjoy a light snack. Prior to afternoon classes, students visit their lockers to
put away coats and prepare for afternoon classes.
Students should carry all necessary resources with them, unless directed to do
otherwise by a teacher. Students are not permitted to take backpacks with them to
classes. Backpacks are often quite heavy and they can become tripping hazards when
they are placed in aisles or under desks. Students travelling offsite to other venues, with
the permission of their teacher, may take backpacks with them.
POWERSCHOOL
All parents who have access to an internet connection are asked to sign up for
PowerSchool. This website allows parents to access information about attendance,
missed assignments, homework and upcoming events. As well, report cards are
viewable through PowerSchool and are available for a two week window. Payments for
school fees and field trips are made through PowerSchool. The PowerSchool site is
accessed at: https://powerschool.ecsd.net/public/ School Staff will assist new families
with creating PowerSchool accounts early in the school year.
REPORTING PERIODS
Report cards are available for viewing through PowerSchool at regular reporting
periods. Printed report cards are available upon request. Listed below are the reporting
terms for the year: Report Term 1: September to January Student Led Conferences – November Report Card: January Report Term 2: February to June Student Led Conferences - March Final Report Card: June
Note: Assuming that COVID 19 protocols will be in place for the better part of the school
year, it is very likely that Student Led Conferences will be conducted using online tools
this year.
SCHOOL COUNCIL
School Councils are collective associations of parents, principals, staff, and community
representatives who seek to work together to promote the well-being and effectiveness
of the entire school community, thereby enhancing student learning. A school council is
a means to facilitate cooperation among all the concerned participants in the local
school. Parents – please consider attending our school council meetings and having a
voice in school initiatives. School council meetings may be conducted online this year.
SCHOOL NEWSLETTERS
Our school newsletter is posted online on the first operational day of each month. An
email notice is sent to parents when the newsletter has been posted. The newsletter
contains important information regarding school activities and community events. It is
one of our prime instruments for keeping parents informed about school activities.
Please watch for it and keep it as a handy reference.
SPECIAL EVENTS
We plan a variety of special events and activities throughout the year including
designated fun days. The purpose of such activities is to promote school spirit, give a bit
of a break from the regular routine and provide opportunities for students to have fun
together. At this time, large gatherings of students are not permitted. We will do our
best to mark special occasions with activities and celebrations in cohort groupings.
STUDENT RECORDS
Student records of attendance, achievement, program special services, promotion and
vital statistics are kept by the school. These records are maintained in strictest
confidence to respect the “worth and dignity” of each student. Parents/Guardians have a
right to be informed as to the content of the educational record and to receive an
interpretation, when necessary, of such records by qualified school staff. You may
obtain access to your child’s record through an administrator. All procedures are in
keeping with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Parents may request that preferred student names be entered into PowerSchool for
attendance and reporting purposes. Student surnames may be changed on student
records only if the parent or guardian presents evidence to the school that the name has
been changed legally (eg.: a new birth certificate and/or a statement from a lawyer).
TESTING
Students in Grade 9 write Provincial Achievement Tests in May and June. Throughout
the year, students in different grades write standardized tests including CCAT (Canadian
Cognitive Abilities Test) and CTBS (Canadian Test of Basic Skills). Parents are welcome
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and encouraged to review their child’s scores with the principal or his designate. Notice
of when these tests are being written is included in the monthly newsletter.
VISITORS
At this time, we are strictly limiting visitors to the school. All ECSD staff and those who
offer professional services, such as student teachers or psychologists, will continue to
have access to our school. Members of our parishes will also be welcome in our school.
Additional visitors, such as guest speakers, will not be permitted at this time. Parents
are encouraged to make phone or online appointments with school staff rather than
visiting in school. All visitors to the school must follow our required safety protocols:
• Use self-screening tool before entering the building (if a visitor answers YES to
any questions, he or she will not be permitted to enter)
• Wear a mask
• Use hand sanitizer
• Report to the office
• Sign the visitor log
• Wear a visitor tag or school division ID.
This helps us to maintain a safe and secure environment for our students. Students are
asked to report the presence of strangers to the principal or staff. If you are coming to
see a teacher, please contact the teacher to arrange a convenient time for you to meet
rather than simply dropping by the school.
VOLUNTEERS
At this time, volunteers will not be allowed in schools. Although we value the
contributions and support our volunteer parents provide for us, we do need to maintain
the integrity of our cohorts and physical distancing within the school. When provincial
restrictions are lifted, then we will once more gladly welcome volunteers into our
school and the following will be in place:
Volunteers are asked to sign in at the office and wear a visitor tag. In keeping with
district policy, all parent volunteers are required to complete a Volunteer Registration
Form, which is kept on file at the school for a two-year period. Note: Volunteers who
work with students in situations where no staff member is present, such as coaching
sports teams or transporting students, are asked to complete both a Police Information
check and an Information Record Check.
ON-CAMPUS POLICY
École St. Cecilia students are not permitted to leave the school grounds during the noon
hour unless they live within easy walking distance of the school and are on an
established Home for Lunch list maintained in the office. We have a duty of care toward
our students and we cannot provide adequate supervision if they are not on school
grounds. In addition, the lunch hour is not long enough for most students to go home.
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The only time students who are not on the Home for Lunch list will be allowed to leave
the school grounds is if a parent comes to pick them up and signs them out at the office.
*Students who leave school during the lunch hour without permission may receive an
out of school suspension.
During the Spring and Fall, students are asked to go directly outside during the second
half of the lunch break so they may enjoy twenty minutes of fresh air. Students are to
spend this time at the back of the school in the West field. Students are not permitted to
be in front of the school building over the noon hour or in the Archbishop O’Leary
School field.
For now, due to COVID 19 protocols, students will remain in cohort classrooms if they
choose not to go outside following lunch. Should these protocols be relaxed, the
following will apply:
During the winter months, students in junior high may choose from a variety of indoor
activities, including quiet study at the tables in the second floor breakout area. Students
may also take part in intramurals or clubs. After finishing lunch and being dismissed,
students are asked to make a choice as to where they wish to spend their time and go
directly there. Once students have made their choice, they are to stay in this area for the
remainder of the lunch hour.
WHOLE SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
École St. Cecilia is a very busy school in terms of activities and events that extend
learning and build community.
RELIGIOUS CELEBRATIONS
As a Catholic school, we mark important events in the school and liturgical calendar in celebration. Students at our school attend a number of different parishes. In the upcoming year, cohorts may be able attend masses at St. Matthew Parish (since it is large enough to accommodate many students and allow for physical distancing. At other times, we will have cohort or classroom-based celebrations.
MEET THE STAFF/CURRICULUM EVENING
Each September, we invite École St. Cecilia families to our annual Meet the Staff Evening. This is an opportunity for families to meet their children’s teachers and learn a little bit about what students will be learning over the course of the year. Unfortunately, we are not able to host large gatherings at this time, so our Meet the Staff evening will be in an online format for this year.
SPIRIT DAYS
Each month, École St. Cecilia students take part in Spirit Days that involve events and/or dress-up days. Spirit days are lots of fun for everyone. Although we are not
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able to gather as a larger community, we will continue to have spirit events in cohort groups.
SEASONAL EVENTS
We hold many events for the entire school that are specific to a particular time of year, such as Halloween activities, Christmas activities, Valentine’s activities, and many others. For the time being, these celebrations will take place in classrooms. Students will be required to bring their own snacks and treats for classroom events since we are not permitted to share food with one another.
JUNIOR HIGH ACTIVITIES
Activities at the junior high level, are on hold until restrictions regarding large gatherings are lifted. Currently, protocols are being developed which would support extra-curricular activities and Inter-School Athletics programs. Should these restrictions be lifted, the following events may be scheduled:
INTER-SCHOOL ATHLETICS École St. Cecilia is a member of the inter-school athletic program. Our school teams play a number of games with other junior high schools in the Edmonton Catholic School Division. Our teams include boys and girls volleyball, basketball, soccer, badminton, curling, softball and track and field. École St. Cecilia students also take part in the ECSD Cross Country Run each September.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM Our Student Leadership Team organizes many different activities for junior high students throughout the school year.
DANCES, CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES École St. Cecilia junior high students participate in a variety of activities, such as regular dances and spirit days. They also have opportunities to be involved in clubs and many other activities.
GREAT THINGS AT BISHOP DAVID MUK STRONG CATHOLIC IDENTITY
At École St. Cecilia School, our Catholic faith is integral to teaching and learning. We
have an excellent relationship with our local parishes and we place great emphasis
on faith development.
GREAT STUDENTS
Students at École St. Cecilia strive to live in ways that demonstrate our Catholic
faith. They are hardworking young people who are unfailingly polite and well-
mannered. They go out of their way to live the gospel values of caring for the poor,
the marginalized and the less fortunate.
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GREAT SCHOOL SPIRIT
School spirit is alive at École St. Cecilia School, where students and staff come
together to celebrate through a variety of special events, sports and community
activities including field trips, grade level retreats, activity days, fun days and school
spirit days. Students at École St. Cecilia are invited to participate in a variety of
activities such as inter-school athletics, the Student Leadership Team, clubs and
